Backdoorhiphop Feature: How Swamp Izzo Is Turning Toronto’s Shah Into Atlanta’s Next Superstar

Shah is not the first Toronto rapper whose stardom was propelled by Atlanta. Drake and Torey Lanez have credited Atlanta for helping launch their careers. Even Kardinal Offishall, the original Toronto rap god, relocated to Atlanta after signing with Akon’s Konvict music. So it’s surprising that prior to last week, no Toronto artist had ever conquered Hot 107.9FM’s Battlegrounds, arguably Atlanta’s most influential radio program known for launching soon-to-be national hits. This all changed last week when Shah’s newest single Just Text swept Battlegrounds, attaining the maximum five wins. In the days since its Battlegrounds reign, Just Text began charting in cities neighboring Atlanta.